Container closure

ABSTRACT

A container closure comprising a cap portion including a resilient diaphragm carried by the access opening in the container and terminating in an orifice of predetermined configuration and size in the relaxed state to retain articles in the container, a cover member having a dispensing member engageable through said orifice in the diaphragm in the closed position, said dispensing member having a pocket to receive at least one article in the container and being actuatable relative to said cap member to withdraw said one article, and means providing a continuous sealing relationship between said diaphragm and cap portion in the closed position.

United States Patent 3,622,04l I Inventors William 30mm: 2,957,503 10/1960 Stifter 222/490 x Adolph 59mm, both of 521 Pacific 3,182,694 5/1965 Raimo 141/321 -1 Calli- 92075 3,189,222 6/1965 Smalley 221/288 x 1 1 1 p 818,015 3,295,726 1/1967 Hanson 220/385 x 1 Filed "P1111969 3,383,013 5/1968 Szekely 221/202 1 1 Patented 3.1 1 3,480,182 11/1969 Rigor 141/321 x Primary Examiner-Raphael H. Schwartz [54] CONTAINER CLOSURE Attorney-Carl R. Brown 10 Claims, 28 Drawing Figs. a U.S. A ontainer clo ure comprising a cap portion in. 221/220, 221/28 41/ eluding a resilient diaphragm carried by the access opening in [51] [Ill- Cl 865'] the ontainer and terminaling in an orifice of predetermined 565d 5/72 configuration and size in the relaxed state to retain articles in 0' the container 3 cover member having a dispensing member 267, 14 U 1 206/42; engageable through said orifice in the diaphragm in the closed 215/371 81 position, said dispensing member having a pocket to receive at Reerences Cited least one article in the container and being actuatable relative to said cap member to withdraw said one article. and means UNITED STATES PATENTS providing a continuous sealing relationship between said 3,004,566 10/1961 Raimo 141/18 diaphragm and cap portion in the closed position. 3,067,787 12/1962 Salk 141/321 PATENTEDNUV 23 Ian SHEET 1 OF 5 FIGS INVENTOHSI ADOLPH w. BORSUM WILLIAM K. BORSUM 0 z W. w. i w a z 1 a u m m 4 W n 2 x //H/ FLU, F

ATTYS.

PATENTEDNUV 23 I9?! SHEET 2 [IF 5 FIGIZ ATTYS,

PATENTEUunv 23 l97l 3,622,041

sum 3 or 5 INVENTORS ADOLPH W BORSUM WILLIAM K.BORSUM ATTYS CONTAINER CLOSURE The present invention relates to improvements in container closures and more particularly to closures of the type referred to herein as kiddyproof" closures.

The closure of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with containers for medicaments in pill or tablet form. These containers are usually sealed by means of a conventional snap cap or screw cap. A serious problem is connection with medicaments and the conventional closures is the fact that these can be opened readily by children, and if the children gain access and take an overdose, the overdose in some instances'can be fatal.

There have been some attempts to solve this problem, but they have not been entirely satisfactory in terms of fulfilling all of the desired characteristics in a closure of this type. For example, some of these closures have been efiective in preventing removal ofthe contents by children. However, the closures have not been suitable in terms of providing a hermetic seal which is necessary in some instances to prevent the contents of the container from environmental contamination or loss of potency.

Additionally, it has been found that these prior so-called kiddyproof closures are not completely effective over an extended period of use and that they are relatively complicated, thereby making the manufacture thereof comparatively expensive.

The kiddyproof closure of the comprises a cap member adapted to be mounted on the container over the opening therein, the cap member having a diaphragm terminating in a central opening of a size which normally prevents dispensing of tablets or pills therethrough and a cover member having a dispensing member of cuplike form adapted to engage in the opening in the diaphragm to rovide an effective lock and an effective seal therewith in the closed position and which is actuatable to withdraw a single tablet or pill from the container when withdrawn from the cap.

Although the text presents and figures show the preferred configurations as closures adaptable to containers, by modification the closures may be made integral to the container; and, therefore, the claims are written accordingly.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective kiddyproof closure for containers housing solid articles, for example, medicaments in pill or tablet form which is of comparatively simplified construction and is fully effective for the purposes intended.

Another object of the present invention is to prove a kiddyproof closure characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement whereby the desired number of tablets or pills may be removed by a comparatively simple one-hand operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a kiddyproof closure comprising a cap portion to secure to the container and a removable tablet dispensing member which in the closed position provides a hermetic seal precluding contamination of the contents when the items are being stored.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a kiddyproof closure wherein the tablet dispensing member cooperates with the diaphragm to securely grip the tablet when it is being withdrawn.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a kiddyproof closure which as a practical matter is difficult for children of comparatively young age to manipulate in a manner to remove the contents of the container and, hence, limits the danger of access to medicaments which would be harmful if taken.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various details of the construction, function and use thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of a container and "kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the closure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partly in section of the closure;

present invention broadly FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view of the'closure applied to a bottle in the closed position;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are transverse-sectional views showing the closure and top portion of the bottle in a closed, partially withdrawn and fully withdrawn positions;

'FIG. 8 is an enlarged transverse-sectional view of a modified form-of the first embodiment of closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an inverted side-elevational view partly in section showing a second embodiment of closure in accordance with the present invention applied to a container;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the cover element of the closure in a fully withdrawn position;

FIG. I l is a sectionalview taken on lines 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a third embodiment of closure applied to a container;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with the cover element of the closure removed;

FIGS. l4, l5 and 16 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views of a fourth embodiment of closure in the closed, partially withdrawn and fully withdrawn positions, respectively;

FIG. 17 is a transverse-sectional view showing the entire closure partially removed from the container;

FIG. 18 is a view of a modified form of the closure of FIGS. 14-17 inclusive;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on lines 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a view showing a modified form of the closure shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken on lines 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 20 showing still another modified fonn of closure;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken on lines 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an inverted sectional view of a filth embodiment of kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 25 and 26 are sectional partially open and fully open; and

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken on lines 27-27 of FIG. 26.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated a closure generally designated by numeral 10 and referred to herein as a kiddyproof closure" in accordance with the present invention applied to a container 12, in the present instance in the form of a bottle for medicaments in the form of pills or tablets, for example, aspirin. The bottle as illustrated is of the conventional type commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry for tablets or other type of medicaments and has a reduced neck portion 14 with a spiral screw thread 16 on the exterior portion thereof for a conventional screw-type cap.

The closure 10 of the present invention comprises a cap member 18 having a generally cylindrical skin 20 provided with a series of radially inwardly directed circumferentially spaced teatlike protrusions 22 adjacent the lower edge of the skirt 20 which cooperate with the screw thread 16 to seat the cap on the neck of the container. The cap member 18 further includes a frustoconical, inwardly and downwardly diverging top wall 24 defining a flexible diaphragm which overlies and depends slightly into the opening in the neck of the container as illustrated. The diaphragm 24 has a central circular opening 25 of a predetermined diameter of a size in the relaxed state less than the diameter of the tablets or pills in the container so that they will normally be retained inside the container as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6.

The closure 10 further includes a disclike cover member 26 which in the present instance is connected by means of a hinge strap 28 to the cap member 18 so that it may be pivoted between a closed position (see FIG. 4) and a withdrawn or open position (see FIG. 6). The cover member 26 as illustrated is of a size to overlie the diaphragm 24 of the cap member and includes a depending dispensing member 30, cuplike in form. More specifically, the dispensing member 30 has an outwardly flared sidewall 32 defining a pocket 34 preferably of a size slightly larger than the tablet or pill being views showing the closure dispensed, the pocket 34 being radiused at its lower portion 36 as shown. The cap and cover members are preferably made of a flexible, resilient material such as plastic.

Considering now the use of the kiddyproof closure constructed in accordance with the present invention, the bottle 12 illustrated is typically the type used for tablets or pills such as aspirin. These bottles are usually sealed by a conventional metal screw cap. In the present instance the user simply removes the conventional cap and applies the kiddyproof closure of the present invention. Of course, the manufacturer may apply the kiddyproof closure prior to distribution to the public. If is noted that when the closure is in a fully closed position (FIG. 4) the diaphragm 24 snugly seats and seals against the dispensing member and the cover member 26 bears tightly against the peripheral edge of the outer cap member 18 to provide good retaining or locking and sealing characteristics. Now even if an infant removes the cover member 26 to the position shown in FIG. 6, note that frustoconical diaphragm snaps back to a position where the central opening 25 is smaller than the diameter of a tablet; hence it is not possible for anyone to remove the contents through the opening 25 other than one at a time by using the dispensing member 30. If an adult wishes to dispense one of the tablets, the container or bottle 12 is simply inverted whereby the tablets fill up the top of the container in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Note that the clearance in the area A between the diaphragm 24 and the neck of the container is small enough so that the tablets do not jam in this area to prevent normal operation of the closure. Now with a single tablet seated in the pocket 34 of the dispensing member 26, the user simply pivots the cover member 26 relative to the outer cap member in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7, the edge of the cover member projecting beyond the outer cap to provide a gripping edge for actuating the cover member. It is noted that as the cover member 26 is pivoted and with the sidewall 32 made thin enough so as to allow it to be deformed in consonance with the aperture of the diaphragm by reason of the constricting forces of the diaphragm, maximum ease of ingress and egress of the sidewall 32 is effected and in addition, the tablet is snugly embraced during the removal from the container. The user then simply pivots the cover member to its fully withdrawn position (FIG. 6) to release a single tablet.

In view of the above, it is clear that the present invention provides a kiddyproof closure of comparatively simplified form which is simple and easy for adults to manipulate to withdraw contents of a container, and yet is effective in precluding young children of, for example years of age or under, to manipulate effectively because of the intelligence, dexterity and/or strength required. Additionally, even though a child may accidentally remove the cover member, unless the bottle has been inverted it would not be effective to remove a pill or tablet, and with the cover member removed it is clear that tablets or pills cannot be withdrawn through the diaphragm. Additionally, the above described embodiment as well as the other embodiments shown and to be described are designed to provide an effective lock and a seal when the cover member is in place to preserve the potency of the contents and also to preclude contamination thereof. Moreover, by reason of the simplified design the kiddyproof closure is extremely economical to manufacture.

There is shown in FIG. 8 a modified form of the kiddyproof closure described above. This closure generally designated 38 also includes an outer cap member 40 having a skirt 42 and an annular top 44 having an offset portion defining a circumferentially extending groove 48 which cooperates with the threads 50 on the neck of the container so that it may be assembled thereto. The closure further includes a generally disclike cover member 56 connected in the present instance to the outer cap by means of a flexible hinge 56. The cover member has a centrally depending tablet dispensing member 60 of generally cuplike form which normally engages through the opening 46. In the present instance the top wall 44 defining the diaphragm is radial and snugly engages the dispensing member at its throat 63. Further, in this form the diaphragm is distorted only during dispensing, which prevents widening of the opening 46, the configuration of the dispensing member 60 and the radial diaphragm providing for a "snap" action providing a tight seal in the closed position.

This closure functions in the same manner as that described above. In other words, in the closed position illustrated, the dispensing member 60 snugly engages the peripheral edge defining the opening 46 in the diaphragm to provide an effective lock and seal. Now when it is desired to dispense one tablet at a time, the container is simply inverted whereby a single tablet engages in the pocket 61 and upon pivoting of the cover 54 the annular top presses inwardly the sidewall of the cuplike dispensing member 60 to snugly embrace the tablet as it is being withdrawn. It is noted that the opening 46 is of a smaller diameter than the tablets so that only one tablet at a time may be dispensed.

FIGS. 9-11 inclusive show a second embodiment of kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 70. This closure is particularly adapted for use on a container 71 of the type illustrated which does not have a reduced neck and wherein the cap is normally snapped over an exterior bead 73 at the open end of the container 71. Thus, the closure 70 comprises a cap member 72 having an annular radial top 74 and an outer depending skirt portion 76 which is formed to have a circumferentially extending recess 78 to snap over the bead 73 on the container, thereby to retain the cap member in place. The cap further includes an inwardly and downwardly converging frustoconical flexible lip 82 defining a diaphragm and a series of radially spaced circumferentially extending concentric ribs 79 which prevent the tablets from accumulating in the area between the diaphragm 82 and the sidewall of the container. In the form illustrated, there are two ribs 79a and 79b which are of graduated height to provide for funneling of the tablets toward the dispensing member when the container is inverted. As illustrated, the outer cap is cut away as at 88 so that the top of the cover member extends beyond the cap to provide a means for engaging the cover member by the finger of the user to actuate it relative to the cap member.

In the present instance the cover element 83 is a separate member and has a depending centrally located dispensing member 84 which is also cup-shaped and has a resilient outwardly flared sidewall 86. The opening in the diaphragm at its inner end is in the relaxed state of a smaller diameter than the tablets to retain them in the container (see FIG. I0). There is illustrated in FIG. 9a a modified form of the cap member of the closure shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This cap member generally designated by the numeral 720 is identical in all respects to the FIG. 9 arrangement except that the diaphragm 82a terminates in a short axially extending terminal section 83a which snugly embraces the outer wall of the cuplike dispensing member to provide snap-sealing action in the closed position.

This closure assembly also effectively seals the contents of the container when in a closed position (see FIG. 9) by reason of the snug engagement of diaphragm 82 and the sidewall of the dispensing member 84. Further, when it is desired to remove a single tablet, the diaphragm 82 presses the sidewall 86 of the cuplike dispensing member to snugly seat the tablet in the receptacle when it is being withdrawn.

The closure 90 shown in FIGS. 12 and I3 is designed for a container 92 generally of the same type as that shown in FIG. 9 but not limited to such, except that the outer portion does not have a bead for retaining the cap. Thus, the closure 90 includes a cap member generally designated by the numeral 94 which in the present instance is generally in the form of a short tubular plug 96 which sealably locks in the interior of the open end of the container 92 and which may have a circumferentially extending radially outwardly projecting lip 98 which abuts the outer edge I00 of the container. The plug 96 has an internal recess I02 within which is mounted a diaphragm 104 which in its preferred form is of U-shaped cross section, one leg of which seats in the recess 102 and the other leg 108 being inwardly and downwardly converging defining an opening which in the contracted position is smaller than the diameter of a tablet so that when the cover member is not in place the tablets are retained in the container (see FIG. 13). It is to be noted that cross-sectional forms (not shown) other than the U-form may be used to effectively retain tablets in the contracted conditions and to seal and lock the container in the expanded condition. The cover member 110 has a generally disclike top 122 and a depending centrally disposed tablet dispensing member 114 of cuplike form including, in its preferred form but not so limited, an outwardly diverging sidewall 116 which constrictively engages the diaphragm 108 in the closed position (see FIG. 12) to constrictively lock and seal the contents. In this position, as illustrated, a single tablet can nest in the pocket 116a and by simply actuating the cover member relative to the outer cap, may be withdrawn from the container.

In a second preferred embodiment the cap portion is integral to the container having formed therein a circumferentially extending recess, a transversely expandable flexible element carried by said recess for retaining articles in the container when said element is in a contracted condition and for passing articles when in an expanded condition with dispensing member being formed to apply a transverse force to move said flexible element from its contracted condition to its expanded condition.

There is shown in FIGS. l4-l7 inclusive another embodiment of kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention. This closure is generally designated by numeral 120 and is designed for use on a container or bottle 122 having a neck and top configuration of the type shown. The neck 123 of the bottle includes a frustoconical section 124, a short axial neck portion 126 and a radially outwardly directed circumferentially extending top flange 128.

The closure 120 comprises a cap member 130 having an annular top 132 defining a diaphragm and a depending skirt 134 with a return lip 136 so that it may be snapped in place over the flange 128 in the manner shown in FIG. 17. The top 132 has a central opening 140 of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of a pill or tablet so that when the cover member 142 is removed as illustrated in FIG. 16, the contents cannot be withdrawn through the opening. The cover member 142 as illustrated is of generally disclike form and has a serrated side edge 146 to facilitate gripping and removal of the cover by the user. The cover member 142 has a centrally located depending tablet or pill dispensing member 150 of generally cup like form defining a pocket 152 for, in the present instance, balllike pill or tablet. Note that the sidewall 153 forming the pocket 152 is outwardly divergent and that in the closed position the throat of the pill dispensing member is snugly engaged by the bead 154 defining the opening in the cap member to provide a tight sealing relationship. Further, as the cover member 142 is withdrawn to remove a single pill in the manner shown in FIG. 15, the outwardly divergent wall 153 is compressed slightly on passing through the opening 140 whereby the pill or tablet is firmly retained in the pocket during removal of the cover.

There is illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 another kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention designated by the numeral 160. This closure is adapted for use on a container generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 20-22 and to this end the outer cap member 162 is provided with a depending skirt 164 having a return lip 166 so that it snaps over the bead 170. The cap member 162'also has an annular-top 172 terminating in a circumferentially extending bead 174 defining a central opening 176 of a diameter slightly less than the pills or tablets so that when the cover member is removed the pills or tablets cannot be withdrawn through the opening 176.

In the present instance the cap member 162 also has two rows of fingers 180 arranged in radially spaced circular arrows, the length of the fingers 180, in the inner row being shorter than the length of the fingers in the outer row to funnel the pills or tablets to the center of the fingers through which projects the tablet dispensing member 182 of the cover member 184. The sidewall of the tablet dispensing member 182 which defines the pocket 186 outwardly divergent to firmly grip the tablet or pill when the cover member is withdrawn in the manner described in connection with the previous embodiments. The cover member, which is of disclike form, has a serrated outer edge to facilitate gripping.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show another'form of kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 200. The closure comprises a cap member 202 designed to snap in place over the exterior bead 204 of the container 206. The outer cap member 202 has a series of concentric ribs 208 and 210 which are of graduated height to define a funnellike arrangement to guide the contents of the container into the dispensing member 212 of the cover member 214. As in connection with previously described embodiments, the wall of the cup-shaped dispensing member 212 is outwardly divergent to snugly grip the pill when the cover member is actuated relative to the outer cap member to withdraw the contents. The outer cover member is cut away as at 220 so that the edge 224 of the cover projects beyond it to provide a gripping edge for the user.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show a kiddyproof closure generally designated by the numeral 230 similar in all respects to the closure 200 except in lieu of the concentric walls, there are provided a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers 232 depending from the inner wall of the annular top of the cap member. The outer terminal ends of these fingers are tapered inwardly to again provide a funnel efiect for directing the contents of the container to the cuplike dispensing member 240 of the cover 242.

There is shown in FIGS. 24-27 inclusive another embodiment of kiddyproof closure in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 250. This closure is adapted for use on a container having a reduced neck 252 with screw threads 254 formed onthe exterior thereof. Thus the closure comprises an outer cap member 256 having an annular top 258 and a depending skirt 260 having a plurality of radially inwardly projecting circumferentially spaced protrusions 262 which cooperate with the threads 254 to permit the closure to be threaded onto the container over its open end. The cap member further includes, in the present instance, a downwardly converging resilient lip portion 264 projecting from the inner edge of the annular top 258 and defining in cooperation therewith a flexible diaphragm. As illustrated, the diaphragm has a short axial wall266 with a circumferentially extending recess 268 in its inner face and an inwardly converging wall section 270 which has a plurality of axial slits 272 which are circumferentially spaced to add to the resiliency of the diaphragm.

In the present instance, the cover 280 is of generally disklike form and is connected to the outer cap member 256 by means of a strap 282. The cover has a depending centrally located dispensing member 284 having'a pocket 286 formed therein for receiving a'single tablet or pill. The dispensing member, in the present instance, has a circumferentially extending bead 290 at its one end adjacent to the cover member which is adapted to seat in the recess 258 in the closed position to provide a snap seal" hermetically sealing and locking in the contents ofthe container. Also note that in the closed position the pocket portion of the dispensing member is spaced below the inner peripheral edge of the diaphragm. In this configuration it is to be noted in contrast to FIGS. 1 to 7 no dependence is placed upon the inwardly converging wall section 270 to either lock the cover to the cap or seal the cover to the cap and that walls 270 are at rest when the cover is in the closed position. The peripheral edge of walls 270 serve as-means to form a restrictive aperture. to retain the tablet within the container when the dispensing member 284 is removed.

The kiddyproof closure operates in much-the same manner as that described in the embodiment of' the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive. For example, if the user desires to withdraw a single tablet or pill from the container, the container is simply inverted whereby the pills or tablets accumulate in the area adjacent the dispensing member. Note that because the container has a reduced neck the tablets or pills cannot accumulate in the area between the dispensing member and sidewall of the neck. Now with one pill seated in the pocket and the container supported in one hand of the user, the user simply engages the extended peripheral edge of the cover member as at 296 to pivot the cover relative to the cap member to the position shown in FIG. 25. Note that in this position the bead 290 disengages from the recess 268 and the diaphragm gently presses the sidewall of the pocket to retain the tablet or pill therein. Continued pivotal or tilting movement of the cover member to the full open position releases a single tablet from the container which the user can then use directly, or dispense into a cup for use by another. Note that after the single tablet has been removed, the diaphragm prevents egress of any tablets past the opening, being so sized in relation to the tablets to accomplish this purpose.

We claim:

1. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising,

a resilient diaphragm, having a circular centered orifice, for

being positioned in said access opening,

a coverdispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projecting portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewalls,

said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sides of said pocket,

said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said pocket projecting portion thereby holding said pocket portion in position,

said cover-dispensing portion has formed in it a circumferentially extending recess,

and said diaphragm band forming said orifice fits in said recess whereby said sidewalls of said pocket means apply a transverse force to move said diaphragm band from its contracted condition to its expanded condition.

2. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the

diaphragm is generally of a U-shaped cross section.

3. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover-dispensing portion is in the form of a tubular plug that sealably locks in the open end of the container,

and the plug having a said circumferentially extending recess for carrying said diaphragm.

4. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising,

a resilient diaphragm having a circular centered orifice for being positioned in said opening,

a cover-dispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projecting portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewall,

said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sides of said pocket,

said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said projecting portion of said pocket means thereby holding said pocket means in position,

and the diaphragm is generally of U-shape cross section. 5. A container closure as claimed ll'l claim 4 including retaining means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.

6. A container closure as claimed in claim 4 including, circumferential recess means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.

7. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising,

a resilient diaphragm having a circular centered orifice for being positioned in said opening,

a cover-dispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projection portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewall,

said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sidewall of said projection portion,

said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said projecting portion of said pocket means thereby holding said pocket means in position,

said diaphragm includes a generally cylindrical skin that is integral with said band and that projects in substantially a downwardly direction,

retaining means for holding said diaphragm band in said access opening,

and said diaphragm band fits in said access opening whereby said sidewall of said pocket means applies a transverse force to move said diaphragm band from its contracted condition to its expanded condition.

8. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sidewall of said pocket means is resilient so that it is slightly deflected by the orifices of said diaphragm band to grip said article during movement of said sidewall of said pocket means through said orifice.

9. A container closure as claimed in claim 37 wherein, said cylindrical skirt is positioned in said access opening, and means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.

10. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein,

said cylindrical skirt is positioned outside said access opening around and over the outer surface of the access opening of the container.

11. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cover dispensing portion is connected to said diaphragm by means of a strap.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, Dated November 23, 197].

Inventor(s) William K. Borsum and Adolph W. Borsum It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cover page, please cancel "10 Claim'and insert 11 Claims.

Column 8, line 52, cancel 37" and insert 7.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDL'JARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM DC 60376 p59 v us. eovzmmzm PRINTING OFFICE 1969 OJ66-33 

1. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising, a resilient diaphragm, having a circular centered orifice, for being positioned in said access opening, a cover-dispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projecting portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewalls, said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sides of said pocket, said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said pocket projecting portion thereby holding said pocket portion in position, said cover-dispensing portion has formed in it a circumferentially extending recess, and said diaphragm band forming said orifice fits in said recess whereby said sidewalls of said pocket means apply a transverse force to move said diaphragm band from its contracted condition to its expanded condition.
 2. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the diaphragm is generally of a U-shaped cross section.
 3. A container closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover-dispensing portion is in the form of a tubular plug that sealably locks in the open end of the container, and the plug having a said circumferentially extending recess for carrying said diaphragm.
 4. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising, a resilient diaphragm having a circular centered orifice for being positioned in said opening, a cover-dispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projecting portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewall, said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sides of said pocket, said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said projecting portion of said pocket means thereby holding said pocket means in position, and the diaphragm is generally of U-shape cross section.
 5. A container closure as claimed in claim 4 including, retaining means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.
 6. A container closure as claimed in claim 4 including, circumferential recess means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.
 7. A container closure for closing the access opening of the container comprising, a resilient diaphragm having a circular centered orifice for being positioned in said opening, a cover-dispensing portion having pocket means for projecting through said orifice and receiving at least one article in the container which pocket means comprises a projection portion having downwardly and outwardly flared sidewall, said circular centered orifice has a diameter in the relaxed state of said diaphragm that is less than the diameter of said flared sidewall of said projection portion, said diaphragm includes a frustoconical, inward and downwardly projecting, continuous integral band forming said orifice and defining a flexible diaphragm that overlies and depends into said access opening with said band being contractable against the outwardly diverging sidewall of said projecting portion of said pocket means thereby holding said pocket means in position, said diaphragm includes a generally cylindrical skirt that is integral with said band and that projects in substantially a dOwnwardly direction, retaining means for holding said diaphragm band in said access opening, and said diaphragm band fits in said access opening whereby said sidewall of said pocket means applies a transverse force to move said diaphragm band from its contracted condition to its expanded condition.
 8. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sidewall of said pocket means is resilient so that it is slightly deflected by the orifices of said diaphragm band to grip said article during movement of said sidewall of said pocket means through said orifice.
 9. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein, said cylindrical skirt is positioned in said access opening, and means for holding said diaphragm in said access opening.
 10. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein, said cylindrical skirt is positioned outside said access opening around and over the outer surface of the access opening of the container.
 11. A container closure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cover dispensing portion is connected to said diaphragm by means of a strap. 